Seattle is currently under the influence of an “atmospheric river,” heightening the risk of water seeping into homes, particularly basements! Here are some maintenance tips and resources to get through this time of year and enjoy a leak-free winter!

1. Inspect and Clear Gutters: Ensure gutters are free of debris to allow proper water drainage, preventing overflow and potential water damage. Don’t forget to clear out exterior drains around your home and in the street.

2. Check Sump Pump Functionality: Test your sump pump to ensure it’s working correctly, it plays a crucial role in preventing basement flooding.

3. Landscape for Water Diversion: Modify your landscaping to encourage water drainage away from the property, reducing the risk of flooding around the foundation.

4. Invest in Water Moisture Detectors: This is a great option from Amazon. https://a.co/d/gYhDBUe

Hopefully, no one needs this but if you do find yourself with water intrusion, here are some resources:

ServPro – to come out immediately; they work with most (if not all) home insurance companies. www.servpro.com

For follow-up to ServPro:

• Wu Construction https://www.drainagepeople.com/

• Bodine www.bodineconstruction.com

• R&R Foundation https://rrfoundationspecialist.com/residential/

Cheers to a water-leak-free holiday!